Morgan Lee, a Year 8 student at Baldock’s Knights Templar School, had his hair cut to coincide with the start of term last week.

According to Morgan’s mum Colette Partridge, one of the teachers at the school has repeatedly told the 12-year-old to get the hairstyle changed as it breaches the rules.

Morgan’s hair is shaved to a number two at the sides and back, and slightly longer on the top, with a fringe.

The school’s guidelines on hair say that ‘extremes of style and colour’ are not allowed, and also prohibit hair cropped shorter than a number two. The rules specify: “No patterns or varying lengths should be cut into the hair.”

Colette took up the matter with the school’s assistant head, who told her the teacher in question was just following school rules. She insists her son’s hairstyle does not breach the guidelines.

“There’s nothing wrong with my son’s hair,” she told the Comet.

“I agree with school rules, but he’s not breaking them.

“I’m ex-military, so I know about rules and uniform. My son goes to school with his uniform ironed and his shoes polished, and he looks smart.

“It’s an inappropriately excessive use of power. Priorities should be on teaching and setting disciplinary standards along modern, diverse lines.”

Headteacher Tim Litchfield defended the school’s actions and said he could not understand what the fuss was about.

“If a student comes in with a haircut that breaches our guidelines, the year leader tells him to change it,” he said.

“The lad wasn’t sanctioned in any way, he didn’t get detention. I think it’s a bit of a non-story, really.”